Images

This photo shows an area near the center of Kīlauea's summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, where lobes of lava from the western fissure (beyond the left edge of this photo) would episodically advance and stall.

This photo shows a close-up of the lava stream in the inlet at the western fissure, at Kīlauea's summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u. The flow velocity today was relatively sluggish, consistent with the overall reduction in lake activity over the preceding few days. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

No major changes were observed over the weekend at the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. On Saturday, February 6, the lake activity seemed slightly diminished, likely due to summit deflation. This photo shows the western fissure.

A zoomed-in view of a section of the western active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea summit. Several areas of crustal foundering on the lava lake surface were visible during the afternoon of Friday, February 5, 2021. USGS photo taken by K. Lynn.

A close-up view of one of the smaller islands in the stagnant eastern portion of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. Debris from a partial collapse of this island is visible on the stagnant lake surface (lower right) which exposed the red oxidized interior.

A close view of the active western portion of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at Kīlauea summit on Friday, February 5, 2021. The active west side of the lake had numerous surface breakouts and foundering crust. Lava effusion continues into the lava lake from the base of the west vent (left). USGS photo taken by K. Lynn.

On February 4, HVO geologists observed brief heavy rainfall on the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The rain flashed to thick white steam as it hit the hot lava surface. The western vent, visible in the lower left, continued to supply lava to the western active portion of the lava lake. USGS photo taken by J.

View of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u from the western rim of the crater, looking eastward. Volcanic gases emitted from the western fissure obscure the built-up spatter cone. The active western portion of the lake (lower) has a silvery grey color, while the stagnant eastern portion of the lake (upper) is a dark duller grey.

The lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. An HVO geologist uses a laser rangefinder to measure the elevation of various spots on the lava lake surface. Today (February 2), the active, western portion of the lake was about 213 m (699 ft) deep.

No major changes were observed at the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater during yesterday's helicopter overflight. Eruptive activity continues from the western fissure, with active surface lava largely confined to the western half of the lake. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A closer view of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater from the helicopter. Most of the lake surface in the foreground (east) is solidified on the surface, with active lava limited to the western end of the lake, in the distance. Rockfall debris can be seen on the southern margin of the lake (left side of photo). USGS photo by M. Patrick.

An aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u crater from the northeast during a helicopter overflight of the Kīlauea summit eruption on February 1. The dull black color on the eastern (lower left) portion of the lava lake is the inactive surface.

Rockfalls have been a frequent occurrence in Halema‘uma‘u crater, both before and during the current eruption. Debris from a recent rockfall can be seen sitting on the solidified lava lake crust (center). The crust on the southern edge of the lava lake is thick enough to support the weight of the boulders that have fallen. USGS photo taken by B.

Eruptive activity continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The active surface lava remains largely confined to the western (left) portion of the lava lake. As of the afternoon of January 31 lava had filled about 212 m (695 ft) of Halemaʻumaʻu in the active western portion of the lava lake. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A close-up view of the western fissure, which is supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater. A slow-moving lava stream marked the inlet where lava entered the lake. Several incandescent openings remain over the vent region. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A close-up view of the main island near the center of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u. All the islands have been stationary since approximately January 10. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A view of the central region of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u. On the left is the main island. In the center, a lobe of surface lava is moving south (towards the bottom of the photo) as surface crust founders along its leading edge.

A close-up view of the leading edge of the active lobe of surface lava slowly moving south in the central part of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists collect tephra from the December 2020 deposit, found in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano on January 29, 2021.

View of the active west vent from the south rim of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater on January 29, 2021. The west vent is almost completely crusted over and the effusion is slow from the base of the spatter cone. This photograph was taken from an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons.

HVO scientists observed the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake from the southern crater rim in the late afternoon on Tuesday. In this view, the active western fissure at Kīlauea's summit is visible to the left. The circulating western portion (left) of the lava lake has a more silvery color than the stagnant eastern portion (right).